Dear editor,
I am writing with regards to the ongoing saga of the future pump station most recently being proposed for a site on Beech Street. This decision follows on the heels of the decision not to proceed with the planned Croteau Road site.
I have many concerns about this spot, not the least of which is that it is smack dab in the middle of a quiet residential neighbourhood which was previously considered and rejected. I have yet to hear any reasonable and valid reasons not to expand the existing Courtenay pump station. I’ve heard costs mentioned as the main (only) reason and, in my mind, this is not a reason to exclude this site. The money wasted on surveys and reports by board and Sewage Commission members could have been put towards the more appropriate site, the Courtenay pump station.
I think what resonates with me the most is that this board and commission is simply not listening. I thought this might be because there are so (too) many councils and districts involved, but having dealt with Comox town council on a singular issue, I have found they don’t listen to what the majority of their residents want either.
I was doing some much-needed house cleaning a few months ago and came across a newspaper clipping from the Times Colonist from Jan. 23, 1973. It was an article about my father, John Tribe, as he attended his last council meeting before retiring. He was the administrator for the Municipality of Saanich, and I think some of his words at that time could be applied today.
He spoke of “preserving local government for the little man” and also said “the local council is the last bulwark of our civilization – once you’ve lost the basis of the community, you’ve lost it all.” All wise words by a wise man.
Clearly this is what’s happening in the Comox Valley. The people are not being heard. This happened with the Lorne project where the MAJORITY of the residents of Comox were against the proposed project and it’s happening again with the pump station.
It’s time to listen to the residents, the taxpayers and the community! If you choose not to – shame on you!
Barb Tribe
Comox